Problem Fountain

by Mynah K.

"Help! My hair is the source of all my problems!" No. I am the source of all your problems. There are people in this world who unwittingly create the realities they share with others. I create the delusions. I visited you on your fifth birthday, and I would have been there regardless of whether you'd had the party. I was the monster you prayed to in public restrooms after your parents decided you were old enough to pee alone. Remember the night I babysat for you and recruited you into extremism? You probably don't. We didn't talk much. I check in on you every so often to see how you've changed, but you can't recall my face. Maybe this will refresh your memory. These 19 short stories by Mynah K pay brief visits to people of all different ages, and all different times and places, who all share a common problem. This collection includes the "Tracking Shot", "Klaipeda-Scope", "Prayers to Thoughtful Monsters", "Maddie", "Mirror Neurons", "Knowledge Permanence", "My Hair is the Source of All My Problems", "The Audience", "Clearer from a Distance", "Smiles", "God-Proof Field", "Chicken Tikka Masala", "Am I the Wrong Person?", "One Inch Voice", "The Other Extreme", "A Nose So Strong", "The Opposite of Life", "Losers and Dreamers", and "No-School Day".

180 pages, Paperback

First published April 6, 2010

Reviews

[Tina · Rating 3 out of 5]

These short stories are interesting. About half way through the constant drudgery began to grate on me. The story lines were original, and in spots I was reminded of "The Twilight Zone", but it's hard to read downers one after the other.

[Jenni · Rating 3 out of 5]

I won this book from firstreads (Thanks!). And I loved that it was short stories with a twist. It was interesting, but I did end up skipping some stories, because I couldn't get into them. But overall they were entertaining.

[Diane Pollock · Rating 4 out of 5]

Arty and unique, rather intriguing read. The author has a lot of promise. The stories would be more powerful if they were more mainstream accessible however.